Horizontal or Vertical Wall Bed: Montreal Fit?

Is a horizontal or vertical Wall bed the right solution for your cramped Montreal spare room? You aren’t alone in this debate; with 70% of our community living in small spaces, finding the perfect fit is critical. 

Don’t let your furniture dictate your movement; choose a design that works as hard as you do.

The biggest decision you’ll face when buying a wall bed is the orientation: Horizontal or Vertical? Whether you are looking for a Wall Bed or Murphy Bed, Montreal’s best choice ultimately depends on your room’s layout and ceiling height. At iZi lit, we specialize in smart, modular designs that you can customize online and assemble yourself. Here is how to choose the right orientation for your space.

The Vertical Wall Bed: The “Master Bedroom” Experience

The vertical Wall bed is the classic design most people imagine when they hear “wall bed.” It stands upright against the wall, resembling a sleek, modern wardrobe or armoire when closed.

Best For: Rooms with standard ceiling heights (typical Montreal apartments) and enough floor space for the bed to lower into the center of the room.

Why You’ll Love It: It offers the most traditional bedroom feel. Because it extends into the room like a standard bed, it allows access from both sides—making it the perfect choice for couples using a Queen or King size mattress.

Who Should Choose the Vertical Wall Bed?

• The Condo Dweller: Perfect for those living in downtown Montreal studios who want to separate their “living” area from their “sleeping” area without sacrificing a real mattress’s comfort.
• The Frequent Host: Ideal for spare rooms that need to act as a high-end guest suite. When your parents or friends visit, they get a full-height, luxurious bed experience.
• The Minimalist: For those who want their bedroom to “disappear” during the day to create a clean, zen-like meditation or workout space.

Interior Design Ideas & Styling Tips

To make your vertical iZi lit wall bed look like a high-end built-in, consider these design strategies:

• Symmetrical Flanking: Use our 3D tool to add matching side cabinets or floating bookshelves on both sides. This creates a “hotel suite” look and provides essential nightstand space for lamps and phones.
• The “Accent Wall” Effect: Choose a cabinet color that contrasts with your wall (e.g., a wood-grain finish against a dark charcoal wall) to make the bed a focal point of the room’s architecture.
• Crown Molding: Since Montreal apartments often have beautiful character, you can add a simple trim or crown molding to the top of the unit to bridge the gap between the bed and the ceiling for a seamless, “built-in” appearance.

The iZi lit Difference

Worried about the weight? Don’t be. Our designs utilize a premium hydraulic piston mechanism equipped with a Safety Lock. This makes lifting and lowering the bed incredibly smooth and safe—you can do it with one hand. 

Plus, our customizable handles allow you to match the bed’s hardware with your existing room decor, from matte black modern to brushed gold.

The Horizontal Wall Bed: The “Layout Hacker”

Also known as a side-tilt bed, the horizontal Wall bed opens sideways along the wall rather than extending far out into the room. It is wider than it is tall, making it the ultimate “space-saving hack” for Montreal’s trickiest floor plans.

Best For: Narrow “bowling alley” rooms, basements with low ceilings, or attic spaces with slanted roofs (so common in Plateau duplexes).

Design Superpower: Since the bed stays low to the ground, it leaves plenty of open wall space above it for storage or decor without making the room feel claustrophobic.

Who Should Choose the Horizontal Wall Bed?

• The “Home Office” Hero: If you spend 8 hours a day in your office, you don’t want a tall bed cabinet looming over your desk. The horizontal profile is discreet and keeps the room feeling like a workspace first, and a guest room second.
• The Basement/Attic Specialist: If you are dealing with low-hanging pipes, structural beams, or slanted ceilings where a vertical bed simply won’t clear the height, the horizontal bed is your only—and best—solution.
• The Safety-Conscious Parent: Perfect for kids’ rooms or playrooms. The lower height makes it less intimidating for children, and the horizontal opening means it doesn’t extend far into their play area.

Interior Design Ideas for a Horizontal or Vertical Wall Bed

The horizontal orientation offers unique aesthetic possibilities that a vertical bed can’t match:

• The “Credenza” Look: When closed, the horizontal bed looks like a long, modern sideboard or credenza. You can place a large mirror or a piece of horizontal art above it to create a sophisticated focal point.
  
• The Floating Library: Use the wall space above the bed! Install floating shelves or our custom-fit upper cabinets to store books, plants, and decor. This draws the eye upward and makes the room feel taller.
  
• The Integrated Guest Lounge: Since it opens sideways, it feels more like a daybed or a sofa when tucked away. Place a stylish rug in front of it to define the space, making the room feel like a cozy lounge during the day.

Safety First

Just like our vertical models, horizontal beds feature our premium hydraulic piston system with a safety lock. However, because the weight is distributed horizontally, they offer a very low center of gravity. For maximum stability, we ensure our kits are ready to be anchored directly onto your wall studs.

Pro Tip: Use our Web 3D Designer to check the “arc” of the bed as it opens. This is crucial for narrow rooms to ensure you still have a clear walkway even when the bed is down.

Comparison: Which One Fits Your Place?

Why Choose iZi lit for Your Wall Bed?

Whether you decide on a horizontal or vertical orientation, iZi lit is built specifically for the reality of modern Canadian living. We aren’t just a furniture store; we are a smart design platform that puts the control back in your hands. Here is why Montrealers are switching to iZi lit:

Design It Your Way (Online 3D Tool): Forget the guesswork of buying furniture from a catalogue. We are the first to offer a comprehensive Web 3D Designer that allows you to simulate your exact room setup. You can customize everything from the precise dimensions and materials (Laminate, MDF, Plywood) to the colour and handle style. The tool even provides dynamic pricing, so you see the cost change in real-time as you design.

True DIY Simplicity (No Pro Needed): We have reimagined the assembly process to be “super easy,” even for beginners. Unlike traditional wall beds that require hiring a professional installer, our system is designed for you. Once you discover the benefits of DIY wall beds for Montreal condos, you’ll see why skipping the contractor is the smartest move. With just basic tools like a drill and screwdriver, you can assemble your bed in as little as 20 minutes to 1 hour. We provide clear video guides and visual instructions to ensure a stress-free experience.

Smart Savings Without Sacrificing Quality: By stripping away the cost of professional installation and unnecessary intermediaries, we pass the savings directly to you. Our DIY model allows you to save between $200 and $400 per bed compared to standard competitors. Despite the lower price, you get robust construction using high-quality 19mm sheets and reliable hydraulic mechanisms.

Made in Montreal, For Montreal: We understand the specific challenges of urban living, from tight delivery windows to navigating apartment hallways. Based right here in Montreal, Quebec, we offer fast turnaround times—standard products are ready in just 2 weeks, while fully custom orders take 4 to 8 weeks. Plus, you are supporting a local business that prioritizes transparent, friendly service.

FAQ

Do I need specific technical skills or professional help to install the bed? 

A: No, you do not need a professional installer, which saves you money. We designed the system specifically for “DIY” (Do It Yourself) assembly, making it “super easy” even for beginners .

The assembly generally takes between 20 minutes to 1 hour . However, for safety and handling the heavy boxes, we recommend having two people available during the process .

What are the wall requirements? Can I install this on drywall only? 

Most Montreal apartments use wood studs (16″ apart) or metal studs. Our kits include hardware for both, but for safety, the bed must be anchored to the structure, not just the drywall.

I am renting my apartment. Will installing this damage the wall? 

This is a common concern for our Montreal tenants. While drilling into studs is necessary for safety, the damage is minimal. Upon moving out, the holes can be easily patched with a product like DryDex, making it a viable option for renters.

Can I use my existing mattress, or do I need to buy a special one? 

You can typically use your own mattress. Our custom design tool allows you to select the mattress height within the wooden frame to ensure a proper fit . We support all standard sizes from Single/Twin up to King.

What materials are used? Is this durable enough for daily use? 

Absolutely. We use high-quality, sturdy sheets (likely 19mm thickness) to ensure longevity. Our material options include robust Laminate, HPL, MDF/HDF, and Plywood . Currently, we do not use recycled wood to ensure maximum structural integrity.

I live in a building with narrow hallways. How is the bed shipped?

If you’ve ever tried to move a sofa up a spiral staircase in Le Plateau, you know the struggle. We ship our beds in flat-pack boxes that fit into any standard elevator and around those tight 90-degree hallway turns.

What is your return or cancellation policy if I change my mind? 

You can cancel your order within 24 hours of placing it . For delivered items, if there is a defect in the mechanism, we can send replacement parts . Please note that specific return conditions for fully customized products are stricter due to their personalized nature.

Can I add electrical outlets or lights to the unit? 

Yes, we are working on options to integrate power outlets or USB ports directly into the furniture for your convenience . However, we do not currently offer integrated LED lighting systems.

Do you offer financing plans?

We understand that furniture is an investment. We are looking into partnership options with services like Afterpay, Klarna, or Affirm to allow you to pay for your bed in installments.

What is the primary difference between vertical and horizontal Wall beds? 

The main difference is the orientation and pivot point. A vertical Wall bed pivots from the top (head) and extends further into the room like a traditional bed. A horizontal Murphy bed pivots from the side and takes up more wall width but less floor depth when open. This makes vertical beds better for high ceilings and horizontal beds perfect for narrow rooms or low-clearance spaces like basements.

How do I choose the right Wall bed (Murphy bed) for my room? 

To choose the perfect fit, consider your room dimensions and primary use. Measure your ceiling height (vertical beds need standard height) and “swing space” (the area needed for the bed to lower). If you want a traditional bedroom feel for a couple, go vertical. If you are designing a home office or have a narrow “corridor” room, the horizontal “Layout Hacker” is your best choice. Use our Web 3D Designer to simulate both options in your exact room dimensions before buying.

Do horizontal Murphy beds need to be attached to the wall? 

Yes. For safety and structural integrity, all Murphy beds—including horizontal models—must be securely anchored to wall studs (wood or metal). Because horizontal beds distribute weight sideways, they are incredibly stable, but they cannot be attached to drywall alone. We provide specific hardware to ensure your DIY installation is as safe as a professional one.